Historic Commercial Vehicles

Preservation and display of the H.C.R.S. commercial vehicle is the primary focus – not the load capability.

Loads cannot be carried for commercial purposes.

Loads must either be the private property of the vehicle owner and/or carried as part of a club event or display.

The maximum load allowed is two thirds of the manufacturers original load limit.

The load has to be restrained to the performance standards detailed in the published LOAD RESTRAINT GUIDE – (COPY AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE)

Assessments are to be carried out by appropriately skilled club inspectors.

Period engine transplants that were acceptable to authorities at that time, may be retained in restoration.

Advertising to be restricted to the vehicles heritage background.

Clubs to monitor loading eligibility of members’ commercial vehicles.

Members to be responsible for adherence to the guidelines.

Drivers must hold current license equivalent for the H.C.R.S. vehicle in use.

Operation of the vehicles must always be in accordance with the HISTORIC VEHICLE POLICY APRIL 2002 guidelines.

The assistance of RTA officers in compilation of these guidelines is appreciated.

In addition to the above the CMC and CHMC recommend :-

Vehicles of 3 tonne tare and over should have AIS pink slip unless the club inspector/s have equivalent qualifications and expertise.

Club assessments are not appropriate for semi trailers ( except where an existing RTA special dispensation is documented). In these cases clubs should continue to arrange inspections following current procedures.

The above guidelines focus on the most popular commercial type vehicles that attract the majority of restorations.

It is recognised that there are other more specialised and equally valuable heavy vehicle restoration/preservation projects beyond this norm. These would require more specific inquiry and guidelines for H.C.R.S. eligibility and operation – particularly above the 4.5 tonne tare limit for A.I.S. pink slips.